No panic buying in Kuching this CMCO

Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng (seventh from left) accompanied by MBKS councillor and Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Association Kuching president Shankar Ram Pohumall Asnani (sixth left) and MBKS workers lighting up oil lamps at the foyer of MBKS building in Padungan to mark Deepavali celebration this Saturday. Wee in his brief speech reminded the celebrants to strictly observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs) laid out by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) during the celebration.

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KUCHING: There has been no report of panic buying in Kuching.

This is because there is enough food supply and daily necessities for the people throughout the conditional movement control order (CMCO).

Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Sarawak director Datuk Stanley Tan said proactive measures had been taken to ensure the supply of essential goods and services chain were sufficient and able to meet the demand of customers in both urban and rural areas in Sarawak.

“We have deployed 178 enforcement officers and 102 price monitoring officers to carry out daily monitoring and inspection to check the local market on their prices,” said Tan today.

He pointed out that checks had been carried out at 56,404 premises throughout the state since January to Nov 11 this year.

These checks recorded 901 offences under various acts with seized items worth more than RM 2. 81 million and compounds issued totalling RM 237,000.

Tan said a total of 20 items were listed as controlled items under the implementation of the Deepavali 2020 maximum price scheme (SHMMP) from Nov 9 to 17.

The items comprise live chickens; standard chickens; super chickens; local goat with bones; imported mutton and lamb with bones; grade A chicken eggs; grade B chicken eggs; grade C chicken eggs; tomatoes; imported round cabbages; ladies’ fingers; cucumbers; long beans; dried chilli; coconuts; grated coconut; small red onions (India); imported large red onions; imported potatoes (China) and dhal (Australia).

Tan earlier today led a walkabout at Mydin Supermarket in Petra Jaya to monitor the implementation of the SHMMP.

Traders were also reminded to abide by the ministry’s regulations and refrain from taking advantage of consumers, especially during the ongoing CMCO and Deepavali festive season period.

“Traders are also reminded to use a pink price tag for items that have been listed as controlled items.

“Action will be taken against them under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 upon any contravention of the regulations set by the ministry,” he added.